Did you register for SDCC?

Ron did. And, I did. Cause we’re professionals. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you’re not registered as a creative professional for the San Diego Comic-Con. (No judgements.) Yesterday at 10am ‘professional registration’ opened. Professional registration is “offered to professionals who take an active role in the creation, design, writing, editing, or production of comics, animation, films, books, video games, or toys. Job titles might include writer, artist, penciller, inker, colorist, letterer, animator, designer, sculptor, editor, publisher, producer, actor, etc. This category includes retired career professionals from comics and related popular arts field. The creative professional badge is also extended to those responsible for the content of websites that promote the historic or ongoing contribution of comics to art or society.”
For me. The Pro-reg is the only reason I go to SDCC. Let’s be honest. The problem with the event is not the people. It’s the guests. SDCC has allowed greed to bloat the show. Like a Cthulhu spreading it’s tentacles in all directions,they have become blind to the problems of the event. It’s not possible to really see everything you want to see. Everything in that place is Sophie’s Choice. “Do we go to the hall now or go to the Anthony Daniels signing?” “Dude, go say hello to that actor! He was in BSG/BSG’84/TNG/Emergency.” “Hold my place in line I need to pee/eat/coffee/vap/free beer loop.” If you want to meet old school actors btw, hit The Hollywood Show, great fun.

What about collectables? Holy fuck the collectables! If you want specific collectables and items you’re not going to see much, IMHO. You get in line, to get the thing, that you can only get if you got in line to get the ticket that you got stamped after you waited in line. (The Fuck! Fuck you!) Or you waited while people pushed and shoved to get that mini-poster that 150,000 other people just grabbed. Go to

Artists Alley? The cost your small local artist or comic start-up puts up to be there is so cost prohibitive they have to charge you the person who payed $200 in tickets and $300 in hotels fees to spend even more money to make the booth work! But they dare not give up the booths exposer, which I bet is not at all what they want it to be. I bet they feel they have the spot, so they can’t let it go. (I get it.)

SDCC is an umbrella event for what should be other smaller events. See above. It’s the super bowl of pop culture. Everyone, both big small and miniscule, takes out all their wares and uses the free media, to put the word out about what they think will work. That’s why it’s a mad house. To much pop, not enough culture. (Oof.) Try the LA Comic book and Sci-fi Show? You don’t need a hotel and your hard earned cash stays local.

As for the big rooms. To be clear, you’re pissed off that you didn’t get into the BIG FUCKING ROOM WITH 30,000 other like minded geeks, you secretly judge? So what! Your special little someone/trailer will be online on Monday. Did I have a visceral experience with Loki and his bad ass appearance? Yes, in 1080p on my laptop. I could see extensive angles of the event. With great sound even. But, no, I was not in the room, I was downstairs in the other building learning about the Star Blazers 2199 Blu-ray release. (Feb., 14th. I’m gonna make out with it.)

Timing and knowledge is everything. I signed up as a pro in 2001 when I first went to the con with my R2 unit. She and I registered. Then work offered her a pass and she lost her pro status and never re-registered for a badge. (We should have.) But low, these past 12 years, teen culture has been mainlining this hotness. The ‘kids’ are into it. This to shall pass. But for now, go on Thursday and Friday leave Saturday. Don’t bring the fucking kids. Go Han Solo, but take your wookie if he’s low maintenance. Split a room with someone who smokes and drinks or they know a lot of media people. Media people always have the good drugs and the per diem booze.